The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after Chinese swimming star Sun Yang served a three-month doping ban in secret, a spokesman said.
The spokesman said WADA had not received full details of the case, while the World Anti-Doping Code says drugs violations must be made public within 20 days.
Chinese officials have denied covering up the suspension of the double Olympic champion, which took place between May and August, but was only announced on Monday.
“WADA has not yet received the full decision regarding this case,” the spokesman said via e-mail, in response to questions sent by reporters. “Once it is received, WADA will review the reasons for the decision and will subsequently decide whether or not to use its independent right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
Section 14.2.2 of the World Anti-Doping Code says violations must be publicly reported within 20 days and that decisions have to be sent to WADA in the same time-period.
Sun, the 1,500m world record-holder, received his suspension in July, but it was backdated to May, when he tested positive at China’s national championships.
Sun completed the unannounced ban on Aug. 17 and in September, he starred with three gold medals at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
The China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) said it had been too busy with other cases to announce Sun’s suspension, despite his high profile.
“Sun is the most famous athlete in China and is known in the world, which means we need to handle his case very cautiously,” CHINADA deputy director said Zhao Jia told Xinhua news agency. “This is huge bad news, but we will not cover it up.”
Chinese swimming was notorious for doping in the 1990s, but cases have become less frequent in recent years, while China has risen to prominence as a swimming power.
Ning Zetao was banned for a year in 2011 for taking the performance-enhancer clenbuterol. In September, he set an Asian 100m freestyle record of 47.70 seconds at the Asian Games.
Last year, Li Zhesi, who was 14 when she anchored China to a 4x100m medley world record at the 2009 world championships, was banned for two years for taking the blood-booster EPO.
China’s top male backstroker, Ouyang Kunpeng, was banned for life by the Chinese Swimming Association over a positive drugs test in 2008, just before the Beijing Olympics.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely